Don't banish Anancy

THE EDITOR, Sir:

PARDON ME while I divert attention from the discussion of the numerous social ills which dominate the editorials on a daily basis. It is true that police killings, unemployment and general corruption are most relevant, and are factors, which slowly but surely diminish our culture and the very fabric of our society. However, it is my opinion that the most blatant attack on our culture as Jamaicans is being enacted, not by the common criminals and miscreants, but by some of our own highly respected educators.

I speak with all honesty when I say that I cannot, even after much deliberation, fathom the reason for the head of Mico Teachers College Youth Counselling Centre, Pauline Bain, to call for the banishment of Jamaica's most beloved multi-legged character, Anancy. What harm has this fictional character done to Jamaica?

Anancy is a source of tremendous enjoyment and comfort in an otherwise stressful world. My fondest memory of my prep school years, I must say, takes me back to Friday afternoons, when the class would gather and be told comical tales of this most loveable trickster. I speak for myself alone of course, but I cannot see how the tales of this illusory character could ever drive me to commit deviant acts.

Denying the upcoming generation of fictional tales which have brought so much joy to our progenitors, and ourselves, will only add to the problems, which now plague us. Destroying our culture and heritage and giving in to globalisation can benefit us in no way. I sincerely hope in order to restore my faith in Jamaica's education system, that Mrs. Bain will withdraw her proposal with the realisation that it has no merit.

I am etc.,

ROBERT S. LALAH

E-mail: rlalah@yahoo.com

28 Mona Ave.,

Horizon Park

Spanish Town

Via Go-Jamaica

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